Saturday, 28 February 2015

Senator Bernie Sanders is a bit of a political institution in the USA where he sits in the Senate. He is an independent but for many practical situations, he counts as a Democrat.

The speech below begins in relation to the planned visit of Pope Paul to speak from America's seat of government. Please take time to listen to Senator Sanders and the economic statistics he quotes. His statistics relate to the USA but the spirit of them is the same for Australia. The convergence of finance and resources towards the top minuscule per cent away from the bottom majority.

Look, I know open letters are a bit April of last year, but I’ve been worried about you, Tony. Since the Leigh Sales interview when you were unable to articulate exactly who you are, I’ve been worried.It’s a question most Australians are asked every now and again – in job interviews, by partners, by caring friends rolling around on the back lawn after one too many G&Ts, sometimes by our therapists. And as the Prime Minister and a man with more than a fleeting interest in spirituality, I’m sure at some point you’ve asked yourself the question, “Who the hell am I? What do I really stand for?”But at 7.48 or 7.52 that evening, Leigh's question seemed to rattle you. You became evasive. So in case you find yourself fumbling for an answer in the future, here's who I think you are. (Feel free to quote me).You’re a Christian guy. You’re the Christian guy who, when faced with appalling facts about the ongoing abuse and psychological torment of innocent children in our detention centres, chose to viciously attack the messenger rather than reflect maturely upon the incredibly sad and sensitive contents of the message. You’re that guy.You're the guy who condones shoving terrified women and children fleeing rape, persecution and death, (much of which we helped fuel), into little orange boats in the dead of night, sending them back into the darkness and uncertainty they’ve somehow managed to flee, hopeful of our shelter. That's you with your whole "Australia isn't for everyone" Jesus thing.You're the guy who's been trash talking the economy for so long, most Australians are afraid to buy a pine-lime Splice let alone a car or a house. And it was you who in opposition said the so called ‘Carbon Tax’ would wipe towns off the map – something about a python squeeze not a cobra strike – when you knew that simply wasn't ever going to happen. Is it all coming back to you, Tony? You’re that Henny Penny guy.You're the guy with the gay sister who stubbornly refuses to change his views on same sex marriage, despite her personal pleadings and the firm belief of most Australians that equality is long overdue. Represent, Tony! Step up! They mean you no harm. And if it's about saying one thing before an election and doing another after... honestly, let’s not imagine anyone’s going to be too upset or surprised.While we’re on that, you're the guy who hounded the previous government TO DEATH over one supposed lie, promising an all adult, no surprises government of your own. I swear it was you boldly proclaiming you can't say one thing in opposition then do another in office, before making brutal cuts in literally every single area you said you wouldn't. Ringing bells, Tony?You're the guy who says he's intimidated by the burqa then gets around in a bright red banana sling.And forgive me for delving into personal irritations, but you're the Rhode scholar guy who has to repeat everything twice, sometimes thrice, buying yourself time to formulate your next sentence. It's an old orator's trick Tony, but every frickin' sentence?While I could go on, I'm sure the electronic graffiti artists will be happy to continue this letter for me. And hopefully, next time Leigh asks for a little personal reflection, you'll have a better idea of who you are. You're that guyWith - ABC 23

Thursday, 12 February 2015

It seems it might be about time for Australians to tell their political representatives, both at State and Federal levels, to get serious about the Australian Government's flagship Aboriginal policy, Closing the Gap. The graph below shows the lack of success - in spite of the Howard Government sending in the troops!

This is the regular Melbourne activist calendar compiled by Green Left Weekly. Emailed to subscribers each Wednesday fortnight, it is a one-stop listing of the main left and progressive events in Melbourne and Geelong.

Since it began in early 1991, Green Left Weekly has offered an indispensable alternative to the lies of the big-business media and has helped build the various movements for social change. To subscribe toGreen Left Weekly, visit our secure online website for rates and payment or call our national hotline on 1800 634 206.

New email address? Not already receiving this calendar regularly? Want to subscribe someone else? Let us know at Greenleft Melbourne.

Until Sunday, March 1

Sustainable Living Festival. Raises awareness and provides tools for change by showcasing leading solutions to the ecological and social challenges we face. It will again present a rich program of home and lifestyle solutions including talks, workshops, art, film, performance and markets to educate and inform the audience about their state of sustainability. For agenda visit SLF.

Transitions Film Festival. Australia’s largest sustainability film festival is dedicated to showcasing inspirational documentaries about the social and technological innovations, revolutionary ideas and trailblazing change-makers that are leading the way to a better world. For more info visit Transitions Film Festival.

Friday, February 13

Sustainable Living Festival Great Debate: To collapse or not to collapse? Pushing for economic ruin or building a 'great transition'. As the climate crisis continues to unfold so too does the polarisation of core strategy within the environment movement. At one end of the spectrum, there are those who remain firmly dedicated to building a mass global movement to achieve a full-scale emergency, wartime -like transition of our economy. Counter to this position, some environmentalists are fueled by a strong belief that speeding up an implosion of the global financial system is the only thing that can prevent catastrophic climate change. Speakers: George Monbiot (video link); George Marshall; Jess Moore; David Holmgren & Nicole Foss. 6.30pm. $25. The Deakin Edge, Federation Square, City.

Concert: Apology day celebration. In celebration of the anniversary of the apology to Australia's Stolen Generations. Featuring: Christine Anu, Archie Roach, Frank Yamma, Jimblah, Thelma Plum, Kurcha Edwards, Tim Rogers, Clare Bowditch, Horror Show and Blue King Brown. Singer/songwriter Eddie Perfect and actress Miranda Tapsell will take on hosting duties. Entry free. Sidney Myer Music Bowl. More information is available from Healing Foundation.

Forum: UK climate change communications specialist, George Marshall. Given everything we know about climate change why do many still ignore it? Climate communications specialist George Marshall helps us understand the psychological and social mechanisms behind our failure to engage with the urgency and seriousness of the issue. 2pm. RMIT, Building 80, Lecture theatre 80.02.007.445, Swanston St, City. Entry free but register here. Presented by Psychologists for a Safe Climate & Sustainable Living Festival.

Rally: Commemorate one year since Reza Berati was murdered in Australian detention on Manus Island. One year ago, PNG mobile squad, detention staff and locals launched an attack on the refugees held in the Manus Island detention centre, and killed Reza Barati. The attack left others with slit throats, lost eyes, and countless injuries and trauma. To date, no one has yet been convicted for his murder. Reza Barati was the first victim of Australia's offshore detention hell. Speakers: Reza Yarahmadi (Iranian refugee); Arnold Zable (writer and human rights activist). 5:30pm. State Library, cnr Swanston & La Trobe Sts, City. Organised by Refugee Action Collective.

Public meeting: The plight of Tamil refugees. Come find out more about the plight of Tamil refugees in Sri Lanka, at a special Refugee Action Collective forum. 6:30pm. Australian Nurses Federation, 540 Elizabeth St, City (just north of Victoria St).

Public meeting: Roundup: miracle weedkiller or cause of disease?Guest speaker: Don Huber (Professor Emeritus in Plant Pathology at Purdue University, Indiana, USA). He is an award-winning, world-renowned scientist. He opposes the use of Roundup weedkiller and genetically manipulated (GM) crops and foods, after seeing the negative impacts of farm chemicals on the control of soil plant pathogens. 7pm. Fitzroy Town Hall, 201 Napier St, Fitzroy. Tickets: book your seat online Roundup or $10 at the door. Presented by MADGE, GM-Free Australia Alliance & Friends of the Earth.

Protest: Student national day of action. We proved last year that protesting works when the Senate rejected Pyne's 'reforms'. But Pyne hasn't gotten the message yet. Let's redeliver it on March 25. 2pm.State Library of Victoria, 328 Swanston St, City.

Palm Sunday rally: Walk for justice for refugees. 1:30pm (speeches start 2pm). State Library of Victoria, 328 Swanston St, City. We will then proceed down to Queen Victoria Gardens (opposite the NGV on St Kilda Road).

Thursday, February 19

Love makes a way Bendigo court case. On October 21 nine Christian leaders were arrested at the Bendigo office of Senator Bridget McKenzie after a peaceful prayer vigil. They were speaking out against the detention of refugee children. They will be facing court on February 19. If you would like to stand in solidarity with the group, please join us for prayer at 8:30am on the lawn of the Military Museum. From there we will head to Bendigo Magistrates Court at 9:30am. You are also welcome to join us in court to witness the hearing. After the group's case is heard we'll head back to the Military Museum for speeches. 8:30am. Bendigo Military Museum, 37–39 Pall Mall, Bendigo.

Indigenous Social Justice Association. The Indigenous Social Justice Association was established in January 2005 campaigns to permanently stop Aboriginal deaths in custody. During 2013, ISJA will meet the first Thursday of every month. For more info visit ISJA.

Quit Coal: No New Coal Power for Victoria. A Melbourne-based collective which campaigns against expansion of the coal industry in Victoria. We believe this is important because building new coal infrastructure locks in decades of dirty, old technology, when we should be moving towards clean, renewable energy. Quit Coal meets each Wednesday at 6pm, at FOE, 312 Smith St, Collingwood. For more info visit Quit Coal or email us.

Refugee Action Collective. Established in 2000, RAC is a democratic, grassroots activist collective, representing a broad cross section of the community. It aims to mobilise opposition to Australia's inhuman refugee policies. For more info ph 0413 377 978 or visit RAC.

Links International Journal of Socialist Renewal is a journal for the post-Cold War left; a journal that rejects the Stalinist distortion of the socialist project; a journal that takes into account ecological questions; a journal that is taking steps to bring together the forces for socialism in the world today; a journal that aspires to unite Marxists from different political traditions because it discusses openly and constructively. Links seeks to promote the international exchange of information, experiences of struggle, theoretical analysis and views on strategies and tactics within the international left.

Socialist Alliance is a proud supporter of the Green Left Weekly project and contributes a regular column. Socialist Alliance is a broad, non-sectarian socialist party, dedicated to bringing together all those who want to resist the capitalist assault on our planet and its people and fight for a socialist society that puts people's needs before business profits. Anyone who agrees with the general approach of our policies is welcome to join and organisations are invited to affiliate. For more information visit Socialist Alliance or join us on Facebook.

Contact Socialist Alliance. Join with other socialists in the struggle.

Melbourne: Visit us at the Resistance Centre, 5th floor, 407 Swanston St, City; ph 9639 8622. In Melbourne, Socialist Alliance meets on the first Tuesday of each month, 6:30pm, at the Resistance Centre.

Moreland Socialists is open to anyone (even if you live outside the area) who wants to work constructively to support Socialist Alliance councillor Sue Bolton and use her position to build up a stronger activist left presence in Moreland. In general, we meet monthly and alternate between Coburg and Fawkner.

If you want to get involved in the group, email us at Socialist Alliance or phone Sue on 9639 8622 or 0413 377 978.

The Ballarat group is part of the worldwide Amnesty International movement that opposes the death penalty in any circumstance, for any person. Residents are invited to the

Spiritual Centre,

Ballarat Base Hospital

7.00p.m.-8.00p.m.

To-night

Sunday 8th.February

(entry from Sturt Street)

to light the flame of justice, and send a public message that Australians oppose state-sanctioned executions.

The event is a response to comments by Indonesian President Joko Widodo that he would not grant clemency to at least 64 individuals who have been sentenced to death for drug-related crimes and that there were plans to execute all of them.

These include Australians Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran in the next batch of 11 whose claims for clemency have been rejected.

Amnesty International is asking Australians

to use the hashtag #KeepHopeAlive

and sign

Amnesty International’s petition

calling for the executions to be stopped.

The death penalty has been proven not to work in deterring crime. It is a cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment and it has no place in today’s justice system.

Amnesty International has been campaigning against the death penalty for the last 30 years, and most countries in the world have recognised the justice in this stance. When Amnesty International first pledged to abolish executions in the ‘70s, only a handful of countries had stopped killing people as a form of punishment; now 140 countries have abolished the practice.

creative commons

Welcome to The Network

Thank you for dropping by! I do hope you come to The Network on a regular basis. to ensure that you keep up with what is now and happening on The Network.

The Network is a blog of progressive political and social comment --- with an occasional spice of spirituality thrown in for flavour.

The Network comes from the life experiences of Miss Eagle - otherwise known as Brigid O'Carroll Walsh. Brigid has a wide range of experience in politics, trade unions, corporates, and government. Her environmental interests are in water, land, food and waste. She wishes she knew more about soil, birds, and plants.

Brigid lives on the land of the Wadawurrung people of the Kulin Nation. The Creator Spirit of the Kulin peoples is Bunjil, the Wedgetail Eagle. Brigid wishes to express her gratitude to The Creator for the land in which she lives and the environment in which she has been placed.